How to apply for INDoS number in India?
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The Indian National Database of Seafarers (INDoS) is a mandatory, unique identification number issued to every seafarer in India by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS). It serves as a centralized electronic database to prevent the issuance of fraudulent certificates and to ensure that all training and certification records are authenticated and easily accessible to maritime authorities and shipowners globally. The INDoS number is a statutory requirement for any individual intending to undergo maritime training or serve on board merchant vessels, ensuring compliance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended. The application for an INDoS number is primarily governed by the guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Shipping through various Training Circulars and Merchant Shipping Notices. Under STCW Regulation I/2, administrations are required to maintain a register of all certificates and endorsements issued to seafarers. The INDoS system is India’s mechanism for fulfilling this international obligation. There are two primary methods to apply for an INDoS number: 1. Application via a Maritime Training Institute (MTI): For new entrants who have secured admission into a DGS-approved pre-sea training course, the application is typically facilitated by the training institute. The candidate must provide the necessary documentation to the MTI, which then uploads the data to the DGS E-Governance portal. The institute verifies the candidate’s physical presence and original documents before submitting the application to the LBS College of Advanced Maritime Studies and Research, Mumbai, which is the nodal agency for INDoS issuance. 2. Direct Individual Application: In specific cases, such as seafarers who obtained their initial certifications outside India or those who require a fresh INDoS for specialized reasons, an individual application can be made via the DGS E-Governance portal. The applicant must register as a "New User" on the official DGS website and navigate to the "Seafarer Registration" section. The following documentation is mandatory for the application: - A valid Indian Passport (essential for verifying nationality and identity). - 10th Standard (SSC) Passing Certificate or equivalent for date of birth verification. - A recent digital photograph with a white background, adhering to specific pixel and size dimensions as prescribed by DGS. - A scanned image of the seafarer’s signature. - Relevant educational and pre-sea training details. Once the online form is completed and documents are uploaded, a processing fee (currently INR 1200, subject to periodic revision by the DGS) must be paid via the integrated online payment gateway. Upon successful verification by the authorities, the INDoS number is generated and can be tracked through the "Search Seafarer" utility on the DGS website. It is imperative that seafarers maintain the integrity of their INDoS profile. Any discrepancy in the data can lead to complications during the issuance of a Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), Certificate of Competency (CoC), or during the verification of sea service. The INDoS number remains a permanent reference for a seafarer's entire professional career in the merchant navy.
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💬 Community Answers(3)
Applying for an INDoS number is straightforward now, mostly online through the DG Shipping website. First, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria – typically, having completed your pre-sea training from a DGS-approved institute. You'll need to register on the DGS e-governance system. The application requires scanned copies of your passport, 10th mark sheet, pre-sea course completion certificate, and a passport-sized photograph. Fill out the online form meticulously, double-checking all details before submission. Payment is also done online. Once submitted, the application goes for verification. Sometimes, you might be called to a specific MMD (like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, or Kochi) for physical verification, but increasingly, it's processed online. My batchmates from Great Eastern Shipping and Anglo-Eastern had their INDoS processed quite smoothly this way. A practical tip, bhai: always keep your scanned documents clear and within the specified file size limits to avoid rejections. After approval, you can download your INDoS certificate directly from the DGS portal. Your next step should be to register on the Seafarer’s Profile section of the DGS website and keep all your certificates updated there.
Ah, the classic first hurdle of our sea life. Getting your INDoS number can feel like dealing with a stubborn mooring winch if you don’t know the steps, but it’s actually pretty straightforward now. If you are currently enrolled in a pre-sea training institute, they usually handle the bulk of the paperwork for you. But if you are doing it on your own, head straight to the official Directorate General of Shipping website and look for the e-governance section. You will need to register as a candidate, fill out the personal details, and upload your scanned passport, tenth-grade certificate, and passport-size photos. My biggest piece of advice from years on deck is to double-check every single letter of your name. I once sailed with a junior cadet who rushed his application and misspelled his middle name. The bureaucratic nightmare he went through at the MMD to get it corrected delayed his first ship contract by three months. Save yourself the headache and match your passport exactly. Once you pay the fee online, which is around a thousand rupees, it takes just a few days to generate. Don't pay any greedy agents for this, mate; you can easily do it yourself from any laptop.
Listen, brother, getting your INDoS is your first real step into this crazy sea life, and I still remember scrambling for mine years ago before joining my first vessel as a junior engineer. The process is pretty straightforward now compared to the old days, but you have to be meticulous. Normally, if you are undergoing your pre-sea training or basic STCW courses, the maritime training institute will apply for it on your behalf. That’s the easiest route and what I always advise the greenhorns to do. But if you are doing it yourself, you need to head straight to the Directorate General of Shipping website and access their e-governance section. You’ll have to register, fill out the application form carefully, and pay the fee online. Let me give you one golden piece of advice from my years of seeing paperwork go sideways on board: make absolutely sure your name, date of birth, and passport details match your matriculation certificate exactly. I had a junior cadet whose boarding was delayed by three weeks because of a single spelling mistake in his INDoS database. Keep scanned copies of your passport, tenth-standard certificate, and photo ready, and just stay patient with the DG Shipping server.
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